Methods, kits, and systems for scoring the immune response to cancer

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes methods, kits, and systems for scoring the immune response to cancer through examination of tissue infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Methods of scoring the immune response in cancer using tissue infiltrating lymphocytes include detecting CD3, CD8, CD20, and FoxP3 within the sample and scoring the detection manually or scoring the digital images of the staining with the aid of image analysis and algorithms.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/246,409, filed Aug. 24, 2016, which is a continuation ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/EP2015/053643, filed Feb. 20,2015, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/943,939, filed Feb. 24, 2014, each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in itsentirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to methods, kits, and systems for scoring theimmune response to cancer through examination of tissue infiltratinglymphocytes (TILs).

BACKGROUND

Biological samples, such as histology specimens, may be examinedhistopathologically by light microscopy using bright field illumination;whereas molecular pathology is the examination, at a molecular level, ofbiomolecules associated with disease. From a histopathologicalexamination, important information about patient diagnosis, prognosis,and treatment options can be elucidated. Pathologists study thehistopathologic architecture, tissue morphology, and/or signalsassociated with the detection of particular biomolecules (e.g. nucleicacid or proteins). A number of assays presently available detect and/orquantify proteins (i.e. immunohistochemistry (IHC)), nucleic acids (i.e.in situ hybridization (ISH)), carbohydrates (i.e. histochemistry (HC)),and enzymes (i.e. enzyme histochemistry (EHC)).

Although the presence of immune infiltrates of variable content in humansolid tumors from different origins and different patients has long beenestablished, the prognostic value of these components is still not fullyunderstood. There has been a shift from the turn of the 21st century tonow wherein immunity and inflammation are considered hallmarks ofcancers. That is, considering published data, it is known that localinflammation strongly influences cancer development. In one example, thecreation of an acute local inflammation has been used in the adjuvanttreatment of superficial bladder cancer by BCG. This approach is now thestate of the art for this malignancy. In contrast, chronic inflammationis understood to influence the outcome and progression of many tumors(head and neck, gastric, colorectal, etc.). Similarly, immunedeficiencies have been seen as negative prognostic indicators.

However, in light of the prior art, an image analysis system for theautomatic computation of an immune score from a set images of multiplexIHC slides or images of fluorescent stained slides is desirable.

SUMMARY

Methods, kits, and systems for scoring cancer through examination oftissue infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are disclosed in which a panel ofCD3, CD8, CD20, and FoxP3 was found to be useful as a prognostic markeracross a number of cancers, including high risk melanoma, colorectalcancer, and breast cancer.

Immune cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment (TILs) may eitherlimit or promote tumor progression. Increasing evidence demonstrate thatthe number, type and location of TILs in primary tumors may have aprognostic role. These observations have led to the development ofpotential new scoring systems derived from the immune context in tissueand based on the identification and evaluation of specific lymphocytepopulations. The potential prognostic value of CD3, CD8, CD20, and FOXP3was explored as an ‘Immunoscore’ for melanoma patients which wouldutilize widely accessible, standardized technology.

The role of the adaptive immune response in controlling the growth andrecurrence of human tumors has been studied extensively. Thecharacterization of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in cancers by geneexpression profiling and in situ immunohistochemical staining has beenpresented. However, collectively, the immunological data (the type,density, and location of immune cells within the tumor samples) werefound to be a better predictor of patient survival than thehistopathological methods currently used to stage, for example,colorectal cancer. The results were validated in two additional patientpopulations. These data support the hypothesis that the adaptive immuneresponse influences the behavior of human tumors. In situ analysis oftumor-infiltrating immune cells may therefore be a valuable prognostictool in the treatment of colorectal cancer and possibly othermalignancies.

The natural history of a tumor includes phases of ‘in situ’ growth,invasion, extravasation and metastasis. During these phases, tumor cellsinteract with their microenvironment and are influenced by signalscoming from stromal, endothelial, inflammatory and immune cells. Indeed,tumors are often infiltrated by various numbers of lymphocytes,macrophages or mast cells. It is generally believed that the latterproduce factors that maintain chronic inflammation and promote tumorgrowth, whereas lymphocytes may control cancer outcome, as evidenced inmouse models. In this study, we analyze data from large cohorts of humantumors, clearly establishing that infiltration of the primary tumor bymemory T cells, particularly of the Th1 and cytotoxic types, is thestrongest prognostic factor in terms of freedom from disease and overallsurvival at all stages of clinical disease. We review data suggestingthat tertiary lymphoid structures adjacent to tumors and composed ofmature dendritic cells (T and B cells organized as germinal centers) maybe the site of an antitumor reaction. We propose an immune scoring basedon the type, density and location of lymphocyte infiltrates as a novelprognostic factor, in addition to tumor node metastasis staging, topredict disease-free survival and to aid in decisions regarding adjuvanttherapies in early stage human cancers.

The unmet medical need is the ability to determine which melanomapatients with node infiltration progress to metastisis and which wouldnot based on a measure of the patient's immune response. Currentstandard of practice is either to watch and monitor these patients ortreat them with harsh interferon treatment.

As a multiplex IHC slide has the potential advantages of simultaneouslyidentifying multiple biomarkers in a tissue section as opposed to singlebiomarker labeling in multiple slides. To support the pathologist withthe slide interpretation process of multiplex IHC slides, digitalpathology can serve to visually separate and quantitatively score thebiomarkers for the immune cells, such as the different type of T-cellsand B-cells. The following references disclose methods for assessingand/or scoring tissue, but are not adequate for multiplex slides: Manualtumor microenvironment assessment with CD3, CD8, CD45R0 and FoxP3: PaoloAscierto, “The Medical Need for an Immune Scoring/Profiling for Melanomaand Other Cancer Patients,” Invited talk, Tucson Symposium, Mar. 12-13,Tucson, Ariz., 2013; Manual/semi-automatic CD3/CD8 counting: Galon JCostes A Sanchez-Cabo F Kirilovsky A Mlecnik B Lagorce-Pages C TosoliniM Camus M Berger A Wind P Zinzindohoue F Bruneval P Cugnenc PHTrajanoski Z Fridman W H Pages F “Type, density, and location of immunecells within human colorectal tumors predict clinical outcome,” Science29; 313(5795):1960-4, 2006; Flow cytometry counting of CD8 and FoxP3: F.Stephen Hodi, “Recent Advances in Combinatorial Therapies,” Invitedtalk, Tucson Symposium, Mar. 12-13, Tucson, Ariz., 2013; Immune scoringfrom H&E: Sherene Loi, Nicolas Sirtaine, Fanny Piette, Roberto Salgado,Giuseppe Viale, Franc, oise Van Eenoo, Ghizlane Rouas, Prudence Francis,John P. A. Crown, Erika Hitre, Evandro de Azambuja, Emmanuel Quinaux,Angelo Di Leo, Stefan Michiels, Martine J. Piccart, and ChristosSotiriou, “Prognostic and Predictive Value of Tumor-InfiltratingLymphocytes in a Phase III Randomized Adjuvant Breast Cancer Trial inNode-Positive Breast Cancer Comparing=the Addition of Docetaxel toDoxorubicin With Doxorubicin-Based Chemotherapy: BIG 02-98,” Journal ofClinical Oncology 31(7), pp 860-867, 2013. The technical hurdle has beento quantify the immune cell response on one slide and to incorporate thenecessary immune markers. In order to fully understand the context ofthe patient's current immune response to cancer, the tumor marker,B-cell, total T cell, cytotoxic T cell, and regulatory T cellpopulations should all be viewed together, and the scoring andinterpretation must be automated and scalable to realistically functionas a clinical concept.

Although there are methods to multiplex several markers, to ourknowledge, there is no assay presented in either the research orcommercial space which has incorporated these 5 markers in an assay,addresses this specific medical need, and includes a digital algorithm.

We developed a research prototype multiplexed assay and correspondingdigital scoring algorithm based on clinical, biological, and statisticalinput. Our assay includes a tumor marker, as well as 4 immune markers.

Collectively, the immunological data (the type, density, and location ofimmune cells within the tumor samples) were found to be a betterpredictor of patient survival than the histopathological methodscurrently used to stage cancer. In colorectal cancer, the results werevalidated in two patient populations. This data supports the hypothesisthat the adaptive immune response influences the behavior of humantumors. In situ analysis of tumor-infiltrating immune cells maytherefore be a valuable prognostic tool in the treatment of colorectalcancer and other malignancies.

An image analysis algorithm and/or system has been developed thatautomatically computes an immune score from a set images of multiplexIHC slides and/or fluorescent stained slides. The image analysisalgorithm involves a computer-implemented method for counting a numberof types of cells in a single tissue specimen that has been stained witha multiplex assay, comprising: imaging the single tissue specimen thathas been stained with the multiplex assay that includes lymphocytemarkers CD3, CD8, CD20, FoxP3, and tumor detection markers; unmixing theimage of single tissue specimen that has been stained with a multiplexassay into separate image channels for each marker of the multiplexassay; identifying regions of interest in each image channel based onintensity information in each channel, wherein regions of low intensityin each channel are removed, and regions of high intensity representcell signals; generating a single surrogated image, wherein thesurrogated image is a combination of the image channel information ofall the lymphocyte markers; applying a cell detection algorithm, whereinthe cell detection algorithm is a membrane finding algorithm or anucleus finding algorithm; identifying features of the lymphocytes andcombinations of lymphocytes in each image channel or image of combinedchannels, or a transformed image such as grayscale or absorbance image,or a surrogated image; training a classification algorithm based onfeatures of known lymphocytes and lymphocyte combinations; applying thetrained algorithm to features of the lymphocytes and combinations oflymphocytes in each image channel or in each image of combined channels,or in a transformed image such as grayscale or absorbance image, or in asurrogated image, that were identified to classify the detected cells asat least one of false positive cells, CD3 only T-cells, CD3 and CD8T-cells, FP3 T-cells; and CD20 B-cells; counting a number of eachdifferent type of cell classified; generating a score of the tissuespecimen, wherein the score is based on the number of each type of cellcounted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

FIG. 1(A)-(B) are photomicrographs of a primary melanoma tissue (A) and(B) taken with (A) a 20× objective and (B) a 40× objective which shows a5-plex stain with FoxP3 being detected in dark brown (exemplarilyindicated by an arrow indicated with “DB” in FIG. 1(B)), CD8 detected indark gray/black (exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “DGB”in FIG. 1(B)), CD3 detected in blue (exemplarily indicated by an arrowindicated with “B” in FIG. 1(B)), CD20 detected in red/magenta(exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “RM” in FIG. 1(B)) andS100 detected in green (exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with“G” in FIG. 1(A)), wherein (B) focuses on lymphocytic cells that can beseen to the left of the primary tumor.

FIG. 2(A)-(B) are photomicrographs of a colon carcinoma tissue (A) and(B) taken with (A) a 20× objective and (B) a 40× objective which shows a5-plex stain with FoxP3 being detected in dark brown (exemplarilyindicated by an arrow indicated with “DB” in FIG. 2(B)), CD8 detected indark gray/black (exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “DGB”in FIG. 2(B)), CD3 detected in blue (exemplarily indicated by an arrowindicated with “B” in FIG. 2(B)), CD20 detected in red/magenta(exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “RM” in FIG. 2(B)) andcytokeratin (OSCAR) detected in green (exemplarily indicated by an arrowindicated with “G” in FIG. 2(B)).

FIG. 3 is a photomicrograph of a tongue carcinoma tissue which shows a5-plex stain with FoxP3 being detected in dark brown (exemplarilyindicated by an arrow indicated with “DB”), CD8 detected in darkgray/black (exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “DGB”), CD3detected in blue (exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “B”),CD20 detected in red/magenta (exemplarily indicated by an arrowindicated with “RM”) and cytokeratin (OSCAR) detected in green(exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “G”).

FIG. 4 is a photomicrograph of a lung adenocarcinoma tissue taken at a20× objective which shows a 5-plex stain with FoxP3 being detected indark brown (exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “DB”), CD8detected in dark gray/black (exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicatedwith “DGB”), CD3 detected in blue (exemplarily indicated by an arrowindicated with “B”), CD20 detected in red/magenta (exemplarily indicatedby an arrow indicated with “RM”) and cytokeratin (OSCAR) detected ingreen (exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “G”).

FIG. 5 is a photomicrograph (20× objective) of an ovarian adenocarcinomatissue stained (5-plex) with antibodies for a cytokeratin tumor marker(yellow) (exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “Y”) and forinfiltrating CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (green) (exemplarily indicated by anarrow indicated with “G”), further showing how the CD8 cells haveinfiltrated throughout the tumor.

FIG. 6 is a photomicrograph of normal tonsil tissue stained withantibodies for proliferation marker Ki-67 (green) (exemplarily indicatedby an arrow indicated with “G”), CD8+ T cells (purple) (exemplarilyindicated by an arrow indicated with “P”), and CD3+ T cells (yellow)(exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “Y”). This imageconfirms the localization of Ki-67+ cells in germinal centers with CD8and CD3 cells, FoxP3 being detected in dark brown, and CD8 detected inthe surrounding mantle zone. Magnification ×200.

FIG. 7 is a photomicrograph (20× objective) of breast cancer tissueshowing tumor in purple (exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicatedwith “P”), infiltrating CD8+ cells in green (exemplarily indicated by anarrow indicated with “G”), and CD68+ macrophages in blue (exemplarilyindicated by an arrow indicated with “B”), and CD20 detected in red(exemplarily indicated by an arrow indicated with “R”).

FIG. 8(A)-(D) is (A) a photomicrograph similar to FIG. 7, unmixed intoits component colors (B) and (D); and reassembled and pseudocolored in(C).

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustrating a Scoring Algorithm Workflow inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustrating an example implementation of theScoring Algorithm in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11(A)-(B) is a schematic illustrating a filter bank (A) and ringdetector (B) in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is an unmet medical need to develop the ability to determine whichmelanoma patients with node infiltration progress to metastasis andwhich would not based on a measure of the patient's immune response.Current standard of practice is either to watch and monitor thesepatients or treat them with harsh interferon treatment.

The technical hurdle has been quantifying an immune response that couldbe seen on one slide and that incorporates the necessary immune markers.In order to fully understand the context of the patient's current immuneresponse to cancer, a tumor marker, B-cell, total T cell, cytotoxic Tcell, and regulatory T cell populations should be viewed together, andthe scoring and interpretation must be automated and scalable torealistically function as a clinical concept.

Although, there are methods to multiplex several markers, to ourknowledge there is no assay presented in either the research orcommercial space which incorporates these 5 markers in one assay,addresses this specific medical need, and includes a digital algorithm.Our assay includes a tumor marker, as well as 4 immune markers.

The multiplex assay, along with the image analysis algorithms,potentially provide a toolkit for the breast cancer and/or melanomaimmune score computation. The final report generated by the computer maybe used to support the clinical analysis of the patient's personalimmune response and help guide further treatment, but further studiesare needed to substantiate this hypothesis.

TIL

Immune cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment (TILs) may eitherlimit or promote tumor progression. Increasing evidence demonstratesthat the number, type and location of TILs in primary tumors may have aprognostic role. These observations have led to the development ofpotential new scoring systems derived from the immune context in tissueand based on the identification and evaluation of specific lymphocytepopulations. We explored the potential prognostic value of cellspositive for a combination of CD3, CD8, CD20, and FOXP3 as an‘Immunoscore’ for melanoma patients which would utilize widelyaccessible, standardized technology.

We developed a research prototype multiplexed assay and correspondingdigital scoring algorithm based on clinical, biological, and statisticalinput.

A multiplex IHC slide has the potential advantage of simultaneouslyidentifying multiple biomarkers in a single tissue section as opposed tosingle biomarker labeling in multiple slides, thereby demonstrating muchmore information within one small piece of tissue. With this purpose inmind, a multiplex assay has been developed to provide an immune scorefor patients with breast cancer and melanoma, along with other tumortypes. To support pathologists with the slide interpretation process,digital pathology can serve to visually separate and quantitativelyscore the biomarkers for the immune cells, such as the different typesof TILs.

CD3

CD3 is the “universal marker” for T cells in general. Further analysis(staining) must be done to identify the type of T cell, e.g. regulatoryor cytotoxic T cell. An analysis of CD3+ T cell numbers is a goodindication of immune response.

CD8

CD8 is a specific marker for cytotoxic T lymphocytes. These are theeffector cells that actually “kill” tumor cells. They act by directcontact to introduce the digestive enzyme granzyme B into the tumor cellcytoplasm, thereby killing it. Therefore, it is important not only toknow their overall numbers but also their localization relative to thetumor itself. Only those cells in direct contact with tumor cells willbe effective in cell killing.

CD20

CD20 is a marker for antibody-producting B cells. As such, it is anindication of a more fully developed (mature) immune response. The totalnumbers and localization of these antibody-producing effector cells maybe of importance.

FoxP3

FoxP3 is a nuclear transcription factor that is the most specific markerfor regulatory T cells (so-called Tregs). Tregs function to moderate theimmune response. Presumably, the presence of Tregs would indicate aninhibitory immune response to a tumor.

Tumor Markers

In epithelial tumors (carcinomas), cytokeratin staining identifies tumorcells as well as the normal epithelium. This information, together withthe fact that tumor cells abnormally overexpress the cytokeratinscompared to normal epithelial cells, allows one to identify tumor vs.normal tissue. For melanoma tissue of neuroectodermal origin, the S100biomarker serves a similar purpose.

Primary Staining/Blueing/Counterstaining

In illustrative embodiments, the method includes applying a chromogenicreagent so that the sample is specifically stained. In one embodiment,specifically staining includes the application of a primary stain thatselectively stains portions of the sample through adhesion associatedwith hydrophobicity, intercalation, or other non-recognitionassociations. For example, hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E staining)is well known in the art. Reference is made to U.S. Published PatentApplication 2008/0227143, which is hereby incorporated by reference fordisclosure related to hematoxylin and primary staining. H&E staining isused for the evaluation of cellular morphology and is the primary toolfor pathologically diagnosing cancer.

Detection

The method includes applying an immunohistochemical (IHC) bindingreagent or an in situ hybridization (ISH) binding reagent so that theIHC binding reagent or the ISH binding reagent contact the sample. ISHcan be used to diagnose the presence of a genetic abnormality orcondition, or over- or under-expression from the norm. For example, ISHmay be used to detect gene amplification, deletion, or translocation ofgenes related to a particular disease. ISH is also useful in thediagnosis of infectious diseases as it allows detection of microbial andviral sequences within infected cells. IHC includes antibodiesspecifically binding epitopes of interest. The epitopes, also referredto as antigens or antigenic sequences, are portions of proteins thathave been established as a marker of clinical interest. For example, theepitope may be a mutated form of a protein, a protein-protein bindingsite, or a normal protein that is expressed at a concentration eitherhigher or lower than normal, such as in a control sample. Detectionand/or quantification of epitopes in various biological samples havebeen used for a vast number of clinical purposes.

Both IHC and ISH involve a specific recognition event between a nucleicacid probe (ISH) or an antibody (IHC) and a target within the sample.This specific interaction labels the target. The label can be directlyvisualized (direct labeling) or indirectly observed using additionaldetection chemistries. Chromogenic detection, which involves thedeposition of a chromogenic substance in the vicinity of the label,involves further detection steps to amplify the intensity of the signalto facilitate visualization. Visualization of the amplified signal (e.g.the use of reporter molecules) allows an observer to localize targets inthe sample.

Chromogenic detection offers a simple and cost-effective method ofdetection. Chromogenic substrates have traditionally functioned byprecipitating when acted on by the appropriate enzyme. That is, thetraditional chromogenic substance is converted from a soluble reagentinto an insoluble, colored precipitate upon contacting the enzyme. Theresulting colored precipitate requires no special equipment forprocessing or visualizing. Table 1 is a non-exhaustive list of chromogensystems useful within the scope of the present disclosure:

TABLE 1 Chromogenic detection reagents. Abbr. Name Color Enzyme DAB3,3′-diamino-benzidine + H₂O₂ brown - peroxidase black AEC3-amino-9-ethyl-carbazole + red peroxidase H₂O₂ CN 4-chloro-1-naphthol +H₂O₂ blue peroxidase BCIP/NBT 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl- indigo -alkaline phosphate + nitroblue black phosphatase tetrazolium FAST4-chloro-2-methyl- red alkaline RED benzenediazonium + 3-hydroxy-phosphatase 2-naphthoic acid 2,4- dimethylanilide phosphate FASTNaphthol AS-MX phosphate blue alkaline BLUE disodium salt + fast bluephosphatase BB salt hemi(zinc chloride) salt FUCHSIN Naphthol AS-BI +New red alkaline Fuchsin phosphatase NBT nitroblue tetrazolium + blue -dehydrogenase phenazine methosulfate purple ALK3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol- yellow - alkaline GOLD† 5-yl dihydrogenphosphate + gold phosphatase fast blue BB

Table 1, while not exhaustive, provides insight into the varieties ofpresently available chromogenic substances (†WO2012/024185, Kelly et al.“Substrates for Chromogenic detection and methods of use in detectionassays and kits”).

A key advancement to the present invention is the use oftyramide-chromogen conjugates that allow deposition and covalent bindingof here-to-fore novel chromogens of novel color schemes. This covalentbinding also has the added advantage of being able to dehydrate thespecimen slides in a series of increasing concentrations of alcoholsolutions followed by xylene and mounting in a hardened plastic forpermanent preservation. This results in improved morphology andresolution of staining compared to other chromogen dye stainingtechniques that employ dyes that are extracted by this conventionalhistological processing.

One aspect of the present disclosure is that the chromogen conjugatesmay be configured to absorb light more selectively than traditionallyavailable chromogens. Detection is realized by absorbance of the lightby the signaling conjugate; for example, absorbance of at least about 5%of incident light would facilitate detection of the target. In otherdarker stains, at least about 20% of incident light would be absorbed.Non-uniform absorbance of light within the visible spectra results inthe chromophore moiety appearing colored. The signaling conjugatesdisclosed herein may appear colored due to their absorbance; thesignaling conjugates may appear to provide any color when used in theassay, with certain particular colors including red, orange, yellow,green, indigo, or violet depending on the spectral absorbance associatedwith the chomophore moiety. According to another aspect, the chromophoremoieties may have narrower spectral absorbances than those absorbancesof traditionally used chromogens (e.g. DAB, Fast Red, Fast Blue). Inillustrative embodiments, the spectral absorbance associated with thefirst chromophore moiety of the first signaling conjugate has afull-width half-max (FWHM) of between 30 nm and 250 nm, between 30 nmand 150 nm, between 30 nm and 100 nm, or between 20 nm and 60 nm.

Narrow spectral absorbances enable the signaling conjugate chromophoremoiety to be analyzed differently than traditional chromogens. Whilehaving enhanced features compared to traditional chromogens, detectingthe signaling conjugates remains simple. In illustrative embodiments,detecting comprises using a brightfield microscope or an equivalentdigital scanner. The narrow spectral absorbances enable chromogenicmultiplexing at a level beyond the capability of traditional chromogens.For example, traditional chromogens are somewhat routinely duplexed(e.g. Fast Red and Fast Blue, Fast Red and Black (silver), Fast Red andDAB). However, triplexed or three-color applications, or greater, areatypical, as it becomes difficult to discern one chromophore fromanother, especially when they overlap or co-localize. In illustrativeembodiments of the presently disclosed technology, the method includesdetecting from at least two, and up to six or more, different targetsusing different signaling conjugates or combinations thereof. In oneembodiment, illuminating the biological sample with light comprisesilluminating the biological sample with a spectrally narrow lightsource, the spectrally narrow light source having a spectral emissionwith a second full-width half-max (FWHM) of between 30 nm and 250 nm,between 30 nm and 150 nm, between 30 nm and 100 nm, or between 20 nm and60 nm. In another embodiment, illuminating the biological sample withlight includes illuminating the biological sample with an LED lightsource. In another embodiment, illuminating the biological sample withlight includes illuminating the biological sample with a filtered lightsource.

Reference is made to US20130260379 which is incorporated by referenceherein, in its entirety. Reference is also made to U.S. Appl. Ser. No.61/831,552 which is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety.

Automated Scoring; Algorithms

In one exemplary embodiment, the subject disclosure is a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium for storing computer-executable instructionsthat are executed by a processor to perform operations includingtraining an algorithm, computing a score, and unmixing. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the subject disclosure is a system for digitalpathology including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor,the memory to store computer-executable instructions that, when executedby the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, includingtraining an algorithm, computing a score, and unmixing.

The present invention includes an image analysis system thatautomatically computes a score, for example, an immune score, for amultiplex assay (e.g., a set of multiplex IHC slides) or fluorescentstained slide or slides. The image analysis system includes softwaremodules and algorithms, that include computer executable instructionsthat are executed by, for example, a processor, for the purpose ofanalyzing images of tissue stained with a multiplex assay, and forgenerating a score based off of the analysis. The image analysis systemis able to identify multiple biomarkers in the same biological specimen,for example a single tissue specimen, and is applicable to a multiplexassay for any tissue type.

For exemplary purposes, the image analysis algorithm of the presentinvention is described in connection with cancerous tissue slides thatare stained by a multiplex assay. As an example of implementation of theimage analysis algorithm of the present invention, breast tissue slidesare analyzed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,stained tissue slides are imaged and/or scanned, and the correspondingcolor images are generated, and input into the image analysis system.Alternatively, the images are obtained from a source.

The present invention is applicable to brightfield and fluorescenceimages, and a microscopy system (e.g., a brightfield microscopy system)or a scanner is utilized for imaging or scanning the slides andobtaining the brightfield images. To generate multi-spectral images, amulti-spectral imaging system (such as a fluorescent microscope orscanner (e.g., a whole slide scanner) is used to obtain themulti-spectral fluorescent images.

To analyze the generated or obtained images, the image analysisalgorithm and/or system of the present invention includes a colorunmixing algorithm, which may be included in an unmixing module, thatidentifies the individual constituent dyes for the biomarkers and theproportions in which they appear in the color images. The unmixingoperations may be performed in accordance with the unmixing methoddisclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/830,620, filed Jun. 3,2013, and entitled IMAGE ADAPTIVE PHYSIOLOGICALLY PLAUSIBLE COLORSEPARATION, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety. Based on the separated image channels for each marker,detection algorithms are developed to automatically identify differentcombination of T and B lymphocytes with respect to each of thedifferentiating IHC markers. For example, different T-cell markers mightco-localize and create different combination of the stain amounts.Additionally, a tumor marker, for example a cytokeratin marker (e.g.,Oscar), may also be included in the assay to identify the tumor,intratumoral and/or peritumoral regions to get the tissue context (forexample, to identify the nuclei and the tumor regions). In an exemplaryembodiment, image analysis is performed, after unmixing, to identify,quantify and/or generate a score for a biomarker, for example, Oscar,CD3, CD8 and FoxP3 markers. In an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the score for each marker may be reported, along with thetissue context information, as output.

FIG. 9 illustrates the workflow of an image analysis method and systemof the present invention. FIG. 9 shows an example implementation of animage analysis method, in accordance with the present invention, thatdepicts details associated the image analysis method being applied tobreast cancer immune score computation.

The image analysis method of the present invention involves a trainingstage, which may be incorporated into a training stage module. In thetraining stage identification for different type of lymphocytes as wellas the examples of false positive cells may be performed first, for eachmarker. For example, in FIG. 9, the seeds within the cells (e.g., truepositive T-cells) and seeds outside the cells (e.g., false positiveT-cells) are manually annotated, after the automatic detection.

Next, one or more feature extraction algorithms, in accordance with thepresent invention, which may be incorporated in a feature extractionmodule, is applied to an image patch around the seed to obtain a featureset for each type of cells (e.g., CD3 cells, CD8 cells and CD20 cells).The features are extracted from different image channels, for example,the RGB channels of the image, the absorbance space, the unmixedchannels and the grayscale image. Here different feature extractionalgorithms can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, dictionarylearning can be applied to build a codebook for the different cellappearances.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a classificationalgorithm, which may be included in a classification module, may betrained to classify different types of cells present in an image, forexample, an image of tissue stained with a multiplex assay. In exemplaryembodiments of the present invention different classificationalgorithms, for example, SVM, Random Forest and Boosting etc. algorithmsmay be applied. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, anSVM algorithm is utilized in the classification algorithm, as shown inFIG. 9 to associate a feature with a label for the feature.

In the testing stage and/or implementation stage, where theclassification algorithm, in accordance with the present invention, isapplied, the whole slide image, or portion thereof, is input into theimage analysis method/system of the present invention. For each regionof interest in the whole slide image, or portion thereof, the followingsteps of unmixing, removing tumor-related noise, generating a surrogatedimage, ring or blob detecting (e.g., to find lymphocytes with membranemarkers), feature extracting, classifying, and counting of types ofcells or lymphocytes are applied. A surrogated image of lymphocytes(i.e., an image that contains all the T-cells) may be obtained first. Bydoing so, we can first detect all the T-cells and then use theclassification algorithm to identify the cell types. To generate thesurrogated image, a log transform is utilized to convert the RGB imageinto absorbance space, and then the Oscar channel may be utilized toremove the noise (tumor cells) as shown in FIG. 9, since we are notdetecting the tumor cells. In an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the Oscar channel information, including the tumor cellinformation is saved in a memory in order to count the tumor cells. Asurrogated image is utilized to do detection, instead of each unmixedchannel, because unmixing multiplex assays, for example assays havingfive or more markers, may not be reliable due to the huge colorvariation across the image. In exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, a combined image of some other sort may be utilized, forexample, a transformed image (e.g., an absorbance image or grey scaleimage) or an image that combines various channels. Then the input image(e.g., the RGB image) may be unmixed into different channels ofbiomarkers, for example, the Oscar, FoxP3, CD3, CD8, HTX and CD20channels.

The cell detection algorithm (e.g., corresponding to the ring detectorin FIG. 10), may be included in a cell detection module, and is appliedto the surrogated image to detect the lymphocytes. In an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the ring shape of the celldetection algorithm provides for capturing ring shape membrane markers(e.g. all the possible T-cell candidates and may include false positivedetections). We use the absorbance image with Oscar correction as thesurrogated image in the implementation (FIG. 9) to detect the ring shapemembrane markers. In the implementation stage, a cell detectionalgorithm that is very sensitive, is desirable, e.g., an algorithm thatcaptures all possible cells and may include the false positivedetections. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a ringdetector may be applied to the surrogate image to detect the membranemarkers, which are utilized to identify cells. FIG. 10 illustrates asimple example of the ring detector. It should be understood by oneskilled in the art that other and different types of cell detectionalgorithms may be applied to an image (surrogate or otherwise) to detectcells.

A classifier, for example, the classifier learned or generated from thetraining stage, may be then used to classify all the cell candidateseeds between categories, such as false positive cell, CD3 only T-cell,CD3/CD8 T-cell, FP3 T-cell and B-cell.

In exemplary embodiments, the information from CD3, CD8, FP3 and CD20channels, for example information regarding the colors and shapes ofcells in the respective channels, may also be used as a feature forclassification. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of implementation of thedictionary learning algorithm. In this example, (1) a learned appearancefeature, for example, the shape of the cell, which was obtained from thelocal patch around the seed, is utilized to distinguish between truepositive and false positive lymphocytes and (2) the stain amount featureis utilized to classify, for example, the CD3-only and CD3/CD8 T-cells.

In particular, for each detected true positive T-cell in a surrogateimage, the CD3 and CD8 pixels around the neighborhood of the T-cell,from CD3 and CD8 unmixed channels may be obtained, and the ratio of thetwo stains is computed to classify between (1) CDs positive and CD8positive cells and (2) CD3 positive only cells. In an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, if (number of CD8 pixels)/(numberof CD3 pixels)<threshold, the cell identified in the surrogate image islabeled as CD3 only cell, otherwise it is labeled as CD3/CD8 cell.

To identify nuclei we evaluate the nuclear marker channel, for example,the FoxP3 channel image, as FoxP3 is the nuclear marker. We apply theblob detection algorithm, which may be included in a blob detectionmodule, in the FoxP3 channel to find the FoxP3 nuclei. In an alternativeembodiment of the present invention, a radial symmetry algorithm, whichmay be included in a radial symmetry module, may be utilized to detectnuclei. However, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in theart that other blob detection methods may be accomplished utilizing, forexample, a circular transform.

To identify the tumor region, the Oscar channel is utilized. Inexemplary embodiments of the present invention, region detectionalgorithms may be used to identify the tumor regions. In theimplementation shown in (FIG. 11), an Otsu thresholding method isapplied to Oscar channel to find the tumor region. The Otsu thresholdingmethod identifies the tumor region by a process that finds the bestthreshold for the foreground and background. The Oscar channel is alsoutilized to remove the noise associated with the tumor region. The Oscarchannel is also utilized to remove the ring shape tumor cytoplasmicmarkers. As cytoplasmic markers sometimes create ring shape appearance,we need to remove those regions first before applying ring detection. Wenote that the order of the steps of the image analysis algorithms,methods, and/or systems of the present invention may vary.

FIG. 11(B) illustrates an exemplary ring detector, in accordance withthe present invention, that may be utilized for lymphocyte detection inour implementation. To implement a ring detector, a filter bank, i.e., aset of masks containing 12 directions, as shown in FIG. 11(A), may bebuilt. The black region denote pixels of −1 which cover the center ofthe ring and the gray region corresponds to pixels of 1 covering theboundary of the ring, so that when this mask is convolved with the imagewe obtain the intensity difference between the ring boundary and thecenter. In this example, the width of the filter is 3 pixels, the lengthof black region is 5 pixels and the length of the gray region is 10pixels. The parameters, including, for example, the number ofdirections, width and length of the filter are adjustable, for example,to correspond to the different cell sizes for which detection isdesired. As shown in FIG. 11(B), for each location (x,y) in the image,the vote V(x,y)=V(x,y)+[sum(I(A))−sum(I(B))] is computed. The votecorresponds to the intensity value difference of total pixel intensitieswithin the black region of the filter and the gray region of the filter.This vote is accumulated at (x,y) along 12 directions at the center ofthe ring. Note that 12 is just an example number of directions anddifferent number can be used. In exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, multi-scale detection (i.e., different sizes of the ring) maybe utilized to capture cells at different sizes by tuning the parametersof the filter.

One embodiment relates to a user interface and functionalitiesassociated with an image analysis system and/or method in accordancewith the present invention. The user interface provides the followingfunctionalities:

A load image feature that allows for loading the FOVs or whole slideimages via the “Load Data Dir” button. A detect tissue region featurethat allows for detection of the lymphocytes and tumor regions and/ordisplay of the detection results by clicking, for example, the file namein the “File List” panel.

A cell modification feature that allows the user to modify the celldetection results, add and/or delete annotations. In an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, a user may first select the type ofcell to modify from the popup list, then click the “Modify Cell” buttonto start editing, and a left click of the mouse corresponds to, forexample, being able to delete a seed and a right click of the mousecorresponds, for example, to being able to add a seed. After edits havebeen made, activation of the “Enter” key on keyboard indicates thatediting is complete.

A tumor modification feature allows the user to modify the tumordetection results. In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionby clicking the “Add Region” and “Remove Region” icons or regions of auser interface, a user may to start draw a polygon and a double leftclick of the mouse, for example, allows a user to indicate that thedrawing of the polygon is complete.

A save modification feature allows a user, via activation of a “SaveModification” button to save the modification.

A create final report feature allows a user to create a final reportthat includes, for example, the immune score, which is based on a numberof one or more cell types. For example, a user may click the “GetReport” button or region of the user interface to generate the finalreport. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art thatbuttons, icons, and regions of the screen may be utilized to activatefeatures, and can all be utilized as alternatives to the other.

An exemplary embodiment of a computer system for use in accordance withthe present disclosure may include any number of computer platforms ormultiple types of computer platforms, such as workstations, personalcomputers, servers, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers or any other present or futurecomputer. An exemplary embodiment may also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by local and/or remoteprocessing devices that are connected (by, for example, hardwiredconnections, wireless connections, or a combination thereof), in acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote computer storage mediaincluding memory storage devices. It will, however, be appreciated byone of ordinary skill in the art that the aforementioned computerplatforms as described herein are specifically configured to perform thespecialized operations of the described invention and are not consideredgeneral purpose computers.

Computers typically include known components, such as a processor, anoperating system, system memory, memory storage devices, input-outputcontrollers, input-output devices, and display devices. It will also beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art that there aremany possible configurations and components of a computer and may alsoinclude cache memory, a data backup unit, and many other devices.Examples of input devices include a keyboard, a cursor control devices(e.g., a mouse), a microphone, a scanner, and so forth. Examples ofoutput devices include a display device (e.g., a monitor or projector),speakers, a printer, a network card, and so forth. Display devices mayinclude display devices that provide visual information, thisinformation typically may be logically and/or physically organized as anarray of pixels. An interface controller may also be included that maycomprise any of a variety of known or future software programs forproviding input and output interfaces. For example, interfaces mayinclude what are generally referred to as “Graphical User Interfaces”(often referred to as GUI's) that provide one or more graphicalrepresentations to a user. Interfaces are typically enabled to acceptuser inputs using means of selection or input known to those of ordinaryskill in the related art. The interface may also be a touch screendevice. In the same or alternative embodiments, applications on acomputer may employ an interface that includes what are referred to as“command line interfaces” (often referred to as CLI's). CLI's typicallyprovide a text based interaction between an application and a user.Typically, command line interfaces present output and receive input aslines of text through display devices. For example, some implementationsmay include what are referred to as a “shell” such as Unix Shells knownto those of ordinary skill in the related art, or Microsoft WindowsPowershell that employs object-oriented type programming architecturessuch as the Microsoft .NET framework.

Those of ordinary skill in the related art will appreciate thatinterfaces may include one or more GUI's, CLI's or a combinationthereof.

A processor may include a commercially available processor such as aCeleron, Core, or Pentium processor made by Intel Corporation, a SPARCprocessor made by Sun Microsystems, an Athlon, Sempron, Phenom, orOpteron processor made by AMD Corporation, or it may be one of otherprocessors that are or will become available. Some embodiments of aprocessor may include what is referred to as multi-core processor and/orbe enabled to employ parallel processing technology in a single ormulti-core configuration. For example, a multi-core architecturetypically comprises two or more processor “execution cores”. In thepresent example, each execution core may perform as an independentprocessor that enables parallel execution of multiple threads. Inaddition, those of ordinary skill in the related will appreciate that aprocessor may be configured in what is generally referred to as 32 or 64bit architectures, or other architectural configurations now known orthat may be developed in the future.

A processor typically executes an operating system, which may be, forexample, a Windows type operating system from the Microsoft Corporation;the Mac OS X operating system from Apple Computer Corp.; a Unix orLinux-type operating system available from many vendors or what isreferred to as an open source; another or a future operating system; orsome combination thereof. An operating system interfaces with firmwareand hardware in a well-known manner, and facilitates the processor incoordinating and executing the functions of various computer programsthat may be written in a variety of programming languages. An operatingsystem, typically in cooperation with a processor, coordinates andexecutes functions of the other components of a computer. An operatingsystem also provides scheduling, input-output control, file and datamanagement, memory management, and communication control and relatedservices, all in accordance with known techniques.

System memory may include any of a variety of known or future memorystorage devices that can be used to store the desired information andthat can be accessed by a computer. Computer readable storage media mayinclude volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Examples include any commonly available random access memory(RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electronically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), digital versatile disks (DVD), magneticmedium, such as a resident hard disk or tape, an optical medium such asa read and write compact disc, or other memory storage device. Memorystorage devices may include any of a variety of known or future devices,including a compact disk drive, a tape drive, a removable hard diskdrive, USB or flash drive, or a diskette drive. Such types of memorystorage devices typically read from, and/or write to, a program storagemedium such as, respectively, a compact disk, magnetic tape, removablehard disk, USB or flash drive, or floppy diskette. Any of these programstorage media, or others now in use or that may later be developed, maybe considered a computer program product.

As will be appreciated, these program storage media typically store acomputer software program and/or data. Computer software programs, alsocalled computer control logic, typically are stored in system memoryand/or the program storage device used in conjunction with memorystorage device. In some embodiments, a computer program product isdescribed comprising a computer usable medium having control logic(computer software program, including program code) stored therein. Thecontrol logic, when executed by a processor, causes the processor toperform functions described herein. In other embodiments, some functionsare implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, a hardwarestate machine. Implementation of the hardware state machine so as toperform the functions described herein will be apparent to those skilledin the relevant arts. Input-output controllers could include any of avariety of known devices for accepting and processing information from auser, whether a human or a machine, whether local or remote. Suchdevices include, for example, modem cards, wireless cards, networkinterface cards, sound cards, or other types of controllers for any of avariety of known input devices.

Output controllers could include controllers for any of a variety ofknown display devices for presenting information to a user, whether ahuman or a machine, whether local or remote. In the presently describedembodiment, the functional elements of a computer communicate with eachother via a system bus. Some embodiments of a computer may communicatewith some functional elements using network or other types of remotecommunications. As will be evident to those skilled in the relevant art,an instrument control and/or a data processing application, ifimplemented in software, may be loaded into and executed from systemmemory and/or a memory storage device.

All or portions of the instrument control and/or data processingapplications may also reside in a read-only memory or similar device ofthe memory storage device, such devices not requiring that theinstrument control and/or data processing applications first be loadedthrough input-output controllers. It will be understood by those skilledin the relevant art that the instrument control and/or data processingapplications, or portions of it, may be loaded by a processor, in aknown manner into system memory, or cache memory, or both, asadvantageous for execution. Also, a computer may include one or morelibrary files, experiment data files, and an internet client stored insystem memory. For example, experiment data could include data relatedto one or more experiments or assays, such as detected signal values, orother values associated with one or more sequencing by synthesis (SBS)experiments or processes.

Additionally, an internet client may include an application enabled toaccess a remote service on another computer using a network and may forinstance comprise what are generally referred to as “Web Browsers”. Inthe present example, some commonly employed web browsers includeMicrosoft Internet Explorer available from Microsoft Corporation,Mozilla Firefox from the Mozilla Corporation, Safari from Apple ComputerCorp., Google Chrome from the Google Corporation, or other type of webbrowser currently known in the art or to be developed in the future.Also, in the same or other embodiments an internet client may include,or could be an element of, specialized software applications enabled toaccess remote information via a network such as a data processingapplication for biological applications.

A network may include one or more of the many various types of networkswell known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a networkmay include a local or wide area network that may employ what iscommonly referred to as a TCP/IP protocol suite to communicate. Anetwork may include a network comprising a worldwide system ofinterconnected computer networks that is commonly referred to as theinternet, or could also include various intranet architectures. Those ofordinary skill in the related arts will also appreciate that some usersin networked environments may prefer to employ what are generallyreferred to as “firewalls” (also sometimes referred to as Packet,Filters, or Border Protection Devices) to control information traffic toand from hardware and/or software systems. For example, firewalls maycomprise hardware or software elements or some combination thereof andare typically designed to enforce security policies put in place byusers, such as for instance network administrators, etc.

Automated Systems for Staining

Exemplary automated systems available through Ventana Medical Systems,Inc., Tucson, Ariz. include SYMPHONY® Staining System, catalog #:900-SYM3, VENTANA® BenchMark Automated Slide Preparation Systems,catalog #s: N750-BMKXT-FS, N750-BMKU-FS, VENTANA, and VENTANA® BenchMarkSpecial Stains automated slide stainer. These systems employ amicroprocessor controlled system including a revolving carouselsupporting radially positioned slides. A stepper motor rotates thecarousel placing each slide under one of a series of reagent dispenserspositioned above the slides. Bar codes on the slides and reagentdispensers permits the computer controlled positioning of the dispensersand slides so that different reagent treatments can be performed foreach of the various tissue samples by appropriate programming of thecomputer.

Illustrative instrumentation systems are designed to sequentially applyreagents to tissue sections mounted on one by three inch glassmicroscope slides under controlled environmental conditions. Theinstrument must perform several basic functions such as reagentapplication, washing (to remove a previously applied reagent), jetdraining (a technique to reduce the residual buffer volume on a slidesubsequent to washing), application of a light oil used to containreagents and prevent evaporation, and other instrument functions.Exemplary staining instruments process slides on a rotating carousel.The slides maintain a stationary position and a dispenser carouselrotates the reagents above the fixed slides. The processes describedherein can be performed using various physical configurations. Theprocess of clarifying and staining tissue on a slide consists of thesequential repetition of basic instrument functions described above.Essentially a reagent is applied to the tissue then incubated for aspecified time at a specific temperature. When the incubation time iscompleted the reagent is washed off the slide and the next reagent isapplied, incubated, and washed off, etc., until all of the reagents havebeen applied and the staining process is complete.

For related disclosure, reference is made to Richards et al. U.S. Pat.No. 6,296,809, assigned to Ventana Medical Systems, which describes anapparatus and methods for automatically staining or treating multipletissue samples mounted on microscope slides so that each sample canreceive an individualized staining or treatment protocol even when suchprotocols require different temperature parameters. More specifically,what is described is an apparatus comprising a computer controlled, barcode driven, staining instrument that automatically applies chemical andbiological reagents to tissue or cells mounted or affixed to standardglass microscope slides. A plurality of slides are mounted in a circulararray on a carousel which rotates, as directed by the computer, to adispensing location placing each slide under one of a series of reagentdispensers on a second rotating carousel positioned above the slides.Each slide receives the selected reagents (e.g. DNA probe) and iswashed, mixed, and/or heated in an optimum sequence and for the requiredperiod of time.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are provided to illustrate certain specificfeatures of working embodiments and general protocols. The scope of thepresent invention is not limited to those features exemplified by thefollowing examples.

IHC Procedure

The following protocols were implemented on a VENTANA® BenchMark XT(VMSI Catalog #: N750-BMKXT-FS) with NexES V10.6, the ranges providingillustrative process variations with the bracketed values representingan exemplary value:

(1) Baking may be performed to adhere tissue to slides, especially forfresh cut slides; temperatures: 60° C.-75° C.; incubation time: 4-32min; for online baking, set the temperature 2-4 degrees above themelting point of paraffin brand used, [No baking];

(2) Deparaffinization was performed to remove the wax for reagentpenetration; the unique deparaffinization options include standard,extended and extended II; these procedures enable improved flexibilityto allow greater success at optimizing difficult tissues; standard isthe default and will reproduce the classic deparaffinization protocolusing EZ Prep (VMSI Catalog #: 950-102); extended, when selected, willreproduce the deparaffinization from HER2 DDISH (VMSI Catalog #:780-4422) (adding 5 extra EZ Prep rinsing steps to the standardprotocol; extended II, when selected, will use LCS (VMSI Catalog #:650-010), [Standard Deparaffinization, 75° C., 4 minutes; 3 EZ Preprinses; 76° C., 4 minutes; Rinse];

(3) Pretreatment; on-slide post-fixation, option pretreatment, removalof excess protein (heat and enzyme); user-fillable fixative reagent;temperature from 37° C.-60° C.; user-fillable “FIXATIVE 1” through“FIXATIVE 10” incubation time from 4-32 min in Reaction Buffer; [Nopretreatment];

(4) Cell Conditioning; used CC1 (VMSI Catalog #: 950-124), CC2 (VMSICatalog #: 950-123) or Reaction Buffer (VMSI Catalog #: 950-300); CC1with a slightly alkaline pH used for heat+buffer retrieval; CC2 pH of6.0 used for heat+buffer retrieval, Reaction Buffer used for heatretrieval only; 1 to 5 cycles selectable; incubation times: 4-16 min;temperatures: 60° C.-100° C., [CC1 for 32 minutes-8 minutes at 95° C.followed by 24 minutes at 100° C.];

(5) Protease Treatment: cell conditioning using heat retrieval loosenscrosslinks from fixation; protease “punches holes” in protein;combination may enable better sample penetration; enzyme choice andincubation time may be determined by reagent manufacturer,recommendation, experimentation, enzyme option; user-fillable dispensersto be used with ENZYME 1-10, pre-diluted Protease 1-3 (VMSI Catalog #s:760-2018, 760-2019, 760-2020); pre-diluted ISH-Protease 1-3 (VMSICatalog #s: 780-4147, 780-4148, 780-4149); incubation time from 4-32min, [No protease used];

(6) Pre Primary Peroxidase Inhibit & Post Primary Peroxidase Inhibit(VMSI Catalog #: 253-4578); allows for inhibition of endogenousperoxidase after the primary has bound to the antigen; some antigens maybe sensitive to hydrogen peroxide; this option can improve staining forthose antibodies, [No Peroxidase Inhibition used];

(7) Apply rinsing reagent; Reaction Buffer; Apply LCS, [4 minutes, noheat];

(8) Clarification Process [described herein];

(9) Primary Antibody Application; primary antibody temperature andprimary antibody dilution option; enables the user to modify theincubation temperature for the primary; adds an additional 900 μL ofReaction Buffer to the slide before primary antibody application;[anti-V600E (Clone VE1), Incubate 37° C. for 16 minutes];

(10) Detection links a “visual” molecule to the probe; UltraView orOptiView (VMSI Catalog #s: 760-500, 760-700) [OptiView]; and

(11) Counterstain & Post-counterstain; adds a “backdrop” color to thetissue; user can select from a list of counterstain reagents, includingpre-dilute VENTANA reagents as well as user-fillable counterstaindispensers; incubation time is selectable from 4 min to 32 min;[counterstain 4 minutes with Hematoxylin II (VMSI Catalog #: 790-2208),Post-counterstain 4 minutes with Bluing Reagent (VMSI Catalog #:760-2037)].

Breast Cancer Example

Cancerous breast tissue slides were stained with a cocktail ofhaptenated primary antibodies followed by sequential staining usinganti-hapten secondary antibodies linked to HRP. The deposition ofspecific chromogens of different colors represented the localization ofthe primary antibodies. The stained slides were scanned and thecorresponding RGB color images were obtained. To analyze the images, wedeveloped a color unmixing algorithm to identify the individualconstituent dyes for the biomarkers and the proportions in which theyappear in the color images. Based on the separated image channels foreach marker, detection algorithms were developed to automaticallyidentify different types of T-cells. The image analysis was done forOscar, CD3, CD8 and FP3 markers. As the final output, the score for eachmarker was reported.

We observed different combinations of the T-cell distributions in theslides and validated our analysis algorithm by identifying the numberand location of each type of T-cell.

The multiplex assay, along with the image analysis algorithms,potentially provide a toolkit for the breast cancer immune scorecomputation. The final report generated by the computer may be used tosupport the clinical analysis of the patient's personal immune responseand help guide further breast cancer treatment, but further studies areneeded to validate this approach.

For each case, manual cell counts and regional annotation were taken.The data for each patient were summarized as a median expression acrosssampled nodes, and these values were then compared between relapse andno relapse groups. There were statistically significant differences inthe peri/intra ratio for both CD3 and CD8, with the ratio being higherin no relapse patients compared to relapse patients for both breastcohort.

Melanoma Example

We have collected FFPE lymphadenectomies from 34 melanoma patients,analyzing a total of 150 lymph-nodes. We have characterized theImmunoscore by immunohistochemistry expression of CD3, CD8, CD20 andFoxp3 (all Ventana Medical Systems). 3-4 □m serial tissue sections havebeen cut for haematoxylin/eosin (H&E) and stained with a multiplex ofall markers including tumor marker for melanoma (S100). Tissue sectionswere stained using novel multiplex staining protocols on a VENTANABenchmark instrument as well as serial section (slide) staining. Initialevaluation was conducted with a high power microscope field (OlympusBX51), excluding hemorrhagic or necrotic areas. The number of positivecells has been evaluated by counting them in 5 peritumoral and 5intratumoral non-overlapping fields using ×400 magnification. Theexpression of each marker as well as combinations of markers have beenmatched with the most important clinical information that correlateswith clinical outcome.

These trending differences also seemed apparent for both FoxP3 and CD20,although our limited sample size restricted some conclusions. We thenhypothesized a high/low risk score which we now plan to validate on alarger melanoma. For each case, manual cell counts and regionalannotation were taken. The data for each patient were summarized as amedian expression across sampled nodes, and these values were thencompared between relapse and no relapse groups. There were statisticallysignificant differences in the peri/intra ratio for both CD3 and CD8,with the ratio being higher in no relapse patients compared to relapsepatients for both proteins. These trending differences also seemedapparent for both FoxP3 and CD20, although our limited sample sizelimited some conclusions. We then hypothesized a high/low risk scorewhich we now plan to validate on a larger cohort.

Image Analysis

A color unmixing algorithm, which may be refer referred to as a colorunmixing algorithm, was developed that separates image data intoindividual contributions from three or more different chromogens. Tissueslides stained with the newly developed multiplex chromogen brightfieldassay system were scanned on a standard brightfield whole-slide scannerand the color unmixing algorithm was applied in order to provideindividual stain-specific image channels for subsequent analysis. As amodel to apply this technology, we designed immune profiling assays forbreast cancer tissue that consisted of antibodies targeting CD3+ Tcells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, FoxP3+ Treg cells, CD20+ B cells, CD68+macrophages, and cytokeratin+ tumor cells.

We observed a range of immune responses, both in terms of different celltypes and in terms of number of cells. In addition, immune cells werelocated in different regions of the tissue, such as: stroma only, at theinvasive margin of the tumor, and in the tumor center. Variouscombinations of immune cell distribution were observed, and whencorrelated with clinical outcome these data may be predictive of patientresponses.

SUMMARY

Detection and characterization of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)and macrophages in individual cancer patients serves to demonstrate towhat extent the patient's own immune system is activated in response tothe tumor. This information may then be used as a prognostic orpredictive test, or as a guide to further therapy.

The multiplex chromogen detection system is a flexible and sensitivetechnology that can be used to detect multiple targets in brightfieldlight microscopy. For example, flexibility is demonstrated by theinterchangeability of the chromogens and multiplexed assays can bedesigned using haptenated antibodies to improve sensitivity and avoidnon-specific binding or “cross talk”. By using hapten amplification, thesignal generated is more robust and allows detection of weakly-expressedantigens.

The Immune Profiling concept illustrated in this filing serves as anideal application for multiplex chromogen brightfield IHC, providingmedical value by enabling multi-component tumor microenvironmentanalyses and facilitating testing efficiency by means of single slidestaining.

1. A method of scoring the immune response in cancer using tissueinfiltrating lymphocytes comprising: contacting a sample with CD3, CD8,CD20, and FoxP3 specific binding moieties, removing excess specificbinding moieties from the sample, detecting the specific bindingmoieties, assessing a presence and a distribution for the specificbinding moieties within the sample, scoring cancer using tissueinfiltrating lymphocytes by analyzing the presence and the distributionof the specific binding moieties.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising contacting the sample with a specific binding moiety for atumor marker.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the specific bindingmoiety for the tumor marker is selected from antibodies to cytokeratinfor epithelial tumors (carcinomas) and antibodies to S100 for melanomas.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific binding moiety for CD3 isanti-CD3 rabbit or mouse monoclonal antibodies.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the specific binding moiety for CD8 is anti-CD8 rabbit ormouse monoclonal antibodies.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thespecific binding moiety for CD20 is anti-CD20 rabbit or mouse monoclonalantibodies.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific bindingmoiety for FoxP3 is anti-FoxP3 rabbit or mouse monoclonal antibodies. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein contacting comprises contacting thesample with CD3, CD8, CD20, and FoxP3 specific binding moieties whichare selected from rabbit or mouse monoclonal antibodies.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein detecting comprises contacting the sample with ananti-species antibody specific to the rabbit or mouse monoclonalantibodies.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the anti-species antibodyis haptenated, and wherein detecting the haptenated antibody furthercomprises contacting the sample with an anti-hapten antibody conjugatedto an enzyme.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting furthercomprises contacting the sample with a detection compound.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the detection compound is selected from achromogen or a fluorophore.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein thespecific binding moieties are haptenated, and wherein detecting thespecific binding moieties further comprises contacting the sample withan anti-hapten antibody conjugated to an enzyme.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein detecting further comprises contacting the sample with adetection compound.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the detectioncompound is selected from a chromogen or a fluorophore.
 16. A kit forscoring cancer comprising: a CD3 specific binding moiety and a CD3detection reagent, a CD8 specific binding moiety and a CD8 detectionreagent, a CD20 specific binding moiety and a CD20 detection reagent, aFoxP3 specific binding moiety and a FoxP3 detection reagent, containedin a plurality of vessels, and instructions for scoring which describedetecting CD3, CD8, CD20, and FoxP3 within a tissue sample and scoringbased on a presence and a distribution of the detection reagents on thetissue.
 17. A system for scoring cancer by interrogating a tissue sampledisposed upon a glass slide, the system comprising: reagents comprisinga CD3 specific binding moiety, a CD3 detection reagent, a CD8 specificbinding moiety, a CD8 detection reagent, a CD20 specific binding moiety,a CD20 detection reagent, a FoxP3 specific binding moiety, and a FoxP3detection reagent, an automated staining apparatus, and an imagingapparatus; wherein the automated staining apparatus is configured todeliver the reagents onto the slide in a manner such that a presence anddistribution of CD3, CD8, CD20, and FoxP3, is specifically determinedand the imaging apparatus is configured so that the presence anddistribution of the CD3, CD8, CD20, and FoxP3 can be used to generate ascore.